Cookies Policy

a) What are cookies and what are they for?

Wikipedia gives the following definition of a cookie:

A cookie (also called an HTTP cookie or a web cookie) is a small piece of data sent by a website and stored in the user’s web browser, so that the website can access information on the user’s previous activity.

A cookie is a file that is downloaded to the user’s device on accessing certain web pages, and is used to store and retrieve information about the browsing taking place on that device.

As web pages have changed over the years, cookies have become an almost indispensable way of offering users all kinds of services, including the ability to register online, customize or configure the website according to the user’s needs, manage shopping carts purchase, etc.

It is perfectly possible to browse without cookies, but many of these new services are not available without them.

Web bugs, tiny transparent images embedded in some content, are also used in this blog. When the user accesses the relevant content, the image is downloaded and provides information about the number of times that content has been viewed, as well as the IP address from which it has been downloaded. This information is collected anonymously and is used to compile statistical data about certain areas of the website.

b) Why are cookies used on this blog?:

The cookies we use never collect personal data and the user remains anonymous at all times.

You can configure your browser to disable cookies but it will mean that certain services of the website no longer work. It is however possible to access the content and browse the site without any great problems.

For more information on how to configure your browser to limit the use of cookies, click here.

c) What types of cookies are used on this blog, what are they for, and how do they work?:

Generally speaking, cookies can be classified into two types, according to their duration and their purpose.

In terms of duration, there are two types of cookies:

SESSION COOKIES

These are generated when a user accesses a service and expire or are deleted when the user closes the browser.

PERSISTENT COOKIES

These cookies remain in the user’s computer even after closing the browser. They are only removed when their duration period (typically very long) expires, when they have served their purpose, or when they are manually deleted.

In terms of their purpose, cookies can be classified as follows:

PERFORMANCE COOKIES:

This type of cookie allows the site to customize the browsing experience by storing settings or website presentation, so that there is no need to select these options every time the user visits the site. Examples of this type of cookie include those used for:

The products stored in the “shopping cart” in e-commerce services such as shops.

The language selected for viewing the site.

GEOTARGETING COOKIES:

Geotargeting cookies allow the site to determine the approximate location of the user who is accessing the web (always anonymously) in order to try to offer a more personalized browsing experience by being able to offer content related to the area from where the user is connecting (regional news, automatic language selection according to the country, etc.)

REGISTRATION COOKIES:

Registration cookies are generated when a user signs up to a website or service or, if the access information is already stored, when the user logs-in. These cookies allow users to access different sections of the website without having to enter their details on every page.

In short, these cookies enable the identification of the user in order to provide access to certain services such as:

Keeping the user identified so that, if they shut down a service, the browser or the computer, and later re-visit the service, they will still be recognized. This helps facilitate their browsing and means they do not have to repeatedly identify themselves.

Checking whether the user is authorized to access certain services, for example, to participate in a forum, leave comments or access restricted areas of the website.

This cookie can be removed by means of the “log off” button, so that the next time the user accesses the site from that device they must re-enter their details to enjoy the associated benefits.

This type of functionality is also available via third-party cookies, such as those for social networks like Twitter or Facebook. These third-party cookies thus allow users to be identified via these services on the website.

ANALITIC COOKIES

This type of cookie is usually generated by an external provider (such as Google Analytics, Comscore, NetScope, etc.) and its purpose is basically to anonymously identify users in order to analyse their behaviour patterns as they browse the web.

When the user first visits the website, a cookie is generated that identifies that user on future visits, always anonymously and with the aim of collecting statistical data such as:

Counting the number of “different users” who visit the website over a certain period of time.

Anonymously identifying the most visited—and therefore the most attractive—content.

Establishing whether the user is a first-time visitor or a repeat visitor.

Finding out the average number of pages each user reads.

IMPORTANT: these cookies will never be linked to personal data that could identify the user and will be used solely for the purpose of gathering statistical data that enables the website to improve the user experience.

ADVERTISING COOKIES:

This type of cookie allows information on users’ interaction with the site’s advertising to be stored (always anonymously), and enables customization of the type of ads delivered in order to try to offer ad campaigns of particular interest to each user.

Examples of the type of data stored include:

How often advertising positions are viewed.

Interaction with ad campaigns.

The number of times an ad is displayed.

THIRD-PARTY ADVERTISING COOKIES:

This blog uses third-party tools known as “Ad-servers” to manage the advertising on its sites. They facilitate the work of organizing advertising campaigns between different sites and formats, and optimize available inventory.

These tools generate their own cookies that are stored on the user’s device on accessing our services. These companies have their own privacy policies.

We currently work with Google’s “Doubleclick” Adserver to manage these services. For more information:

d) How to disable cookies and web bugs in the major internet browsers:

All modern browsers allow cookies to be disabled, either denying them permission to store a particular service or for browsing altogether.

The way to make such adjustments is normally via the “Options” or “Preferences” menu in the browser, although there are also free programs and add-ons that carry out the same function.

The way to access these settings in the most commonly-used browsers is as follows:

Internet Explorer: Tools -> Internet Options-> Privacy -> Settings.
For more information, check with Microsoft Support or click on Help in the browser.

Firefox: Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> History -> Custom Settings.
For more information, check with Mozilla Support or click on Help in the browser.

Chrome: Settings -> Show Advanced Options -> Privacy -> Content Settings.
For more information, check with Google Support or click on Help in the browser.

Safari: Preferences -> Security.
For more information, check with Apple Support or click on Help in the browser.

e) What happens if cookies are disabled?:

Some of the services offered by the website may stop working either partially or completely. Such services include being recognized, keeping shopping in the “shopping cart” in an e-commerce service, receiving information tailored to the user’s location or the ability to view certain videos.

UPDATES AND CHANGES IN THE PRIVACY/COOKIES POLICY:

This blog can modify this Cookie Policy in response to legislative or regulatory requirements, or in order to adapt this policy to the conditions set by the Spanish Data Protection Agency, and so users are recommended to check this periodically.

Users will be informed of any significant changes in this Cookie Policy either through the website or via e-mail for registered users.